Discover Colorful Northwest & Northeast Loops of Vietnam – 17 Days

We will start the day by the scenic drive to Pu Luong Nature Reserve via a breathtaking mountain pass giving us a panoramic view of the whole valley. We arrive at Pu Luong Village in time for a savory lunch, followed by free time to explore the beautiful retreat with its enchanting panoramic views and tranquil setting.

We will be transferred to a bridge over the Cham River, where we can walk in search of stunning water wheels. Arriving at a local fisherman’s house, we have a short rest and enjoy the pristine natural views. After that, we arrive at scenic Tan Lap Bridge, we disembark to be transferred back to Pu Luong Retreat for dinner. Overnight at Pu Luong village.

The highlight of today is a chance to get closer to village life and interact with the locals living in the hills above the Retreat. Join in daily life and walk around the working farmland and rice fields, learn about making rice wine and weaving colorful textiles. Have lunch at the Lodge. After that, check out and depart for Mai Chau. Arrive in Mai Chau in the late evening, check in the homestay in Pom Coong Village.

After breakfast, we then continue to the upper valley of the Black River to Son La (200 km) to meet H’mongs and Thai Blacks & Whites. We start to visit at the old French prison while having lunch. Savor dinner and overnight at the hotel in Son La.

After breakfast at the hotel, hop on a ride on road No. 6 for about 30 km to visit Thuan Chau Market, where you can meet Black Thai in their beautiful costumes and selling their home-made products. We then ride toward Than Uyen with a short turn back. You have time for going off-road and fun experience, which will be seen as the highlights of today. Stop to have lunch around Quynh Nhai area, then continue to Than Uyen and enjoy the marvelous views of stunning terrace fields, visit Son La Lake in South East Asia. Arrive in Than Uyen in the afternoon, we will then check in the hotel & have a warm dinner.

Have breakfast at the hotel and have been ready for the most stunning ride to the best place in North Vietnam, Sapa. After 100 km, we meet O Quy Ho pass, one of four most grand passes in North Vietnam and entire Vietnam. We arrive in Sapa at lunchtime. After lunch, we will trek to visit Ta Van village then back to the hotel for overnight accommodation.

Today you have a savory breakfast and a free morning to explore Sapa town. After having lunch at a local restaurant, we check out and travel to Bac Ha Town. On the way, we stop to take a short walk to Trung Do village, meet Tay people, and taste a cup of tea before taking a boat cruise upstream the Chay River.

The trip continuously moves to Bac Ha Market in the heart of Bac Ha Town. The market is opened every Sunday for purchasing homemade products. In Bac Ha, there have a lot of ethnic minorities such as H’mong, Black Dzao, Phu La, Tay, and Nung minority. Overnight in Bac Ha.

Depending on the day, we can visit the weekly market of local minorities around Bac Ha. The local market is a colorful meeting of many minority groups who come to exchange the goods and news of their community. After that, we depart for Ha Giang passing by imposing landscapes, mountains of the North-East region. At the end of the day, we arrive at Ha Giang, check-in and overnight at the hotel in here.

After breakfast, start the trip to Dong Van, the most gigantic limestone plateau in Vietnam. We visit Heaven’s Gate in Quan Ba and the old neighborhoods in Pho Cao where has multi-story clay houses with tile roofs, and it’s built for a long time ago. Travel to Sa Phin to visit the Palace of H’mong King. Finally, we arrive at Dong Van in the late afternoon, overnight at hotel in Dong Van.

After breakfast, we travel back to Meo Vac, be ready to conquer one of the four greatest and highest passes in Vietnam, Ma Pi Leng. Then we transfer to Cao Bang & overnight here.

Your visit this morning focuses on the main highlights of magnificent Ban Gioc waterfalls on China – Vietnamese Border. We will then transfer to Dam Thuy, visit the splendid cave of Nguom Ngao, admire the stalagmites and stalactites dating back thousands of years. Back to Cao Bang & overnight at the hotel.

A day starts by the scenic drive set off to Ba Be, the largest natural park in the high mountains of the Northeast. Arrive Ba Be in the afternoon and transfer to the village on the backs of the Ta Leng River includes houses on stilts. Set off in a guest house of a Tay family, take a rest and then walk around the village, meet Tay people. Have local dinner with Tay family & overnight in a house on stilts.

This morning, board the boat trip on Ba Be lake, visit Puong Cave, and then take a boat to Dau Dang waterfall while waiting for the lunch in Minority restaurant, we will take a short trek to visit Dau Dang waterfall.

After lunch, we take a boat back to Pac Ngoi Village, have a rest and then driving back to Hanoi. Arrive in Hanoi in the late afternoon for accommodation.

We arrive the today highlight – Halong bay before lunch, cruise amongst thousands of extraordinary limestone Karst formations. On arrival at Hon Gai International Harbor, we check in our cruise and relish in a set menu lunch served in the outdoor dining room while cruising into magnificent Bai Tu Long Bay.

In the mid-afternoon, we cruise to Vung Dang – Cong Dam for swimming or relaxing on a white sandy beach, kayaking through the mystery Karst Mountain in Vung Dang area.
Get back to Dragon Legend Cruise to refresh yourself in Mineral Seawater Pool, Fitness Room or the Spa and Massage Services before dinner. Overnight at Tra San area.

Refresh yourself in the morning by Tai-chi demonstration on the sun-deck and take in the morning view of the Bay with a cup of coffee and revel in breakfast in the fresh air. Cruise to Cong Do Area to delve into the hidden Thien Canh Son Cave. Check out the cabin and savor a buffet while cruising towards the harbor where the driver is waiting and take us back to Hanoi. Overnight in Hanoi.

A final point of your journey is a light breakfast and free morning to relax, go shopping until the driver arrives to take you to Noi Bai International Airport for your departure flight. Tour ends.

The main route includes Hanoi, Pu Luong, Mai Chau, Son La, Than Uyen, Sapa, Bac Ha, Ha Giang, Dong Van, Cao Bang, Ba Be and Halong Bay.

The tour can be suitable for active mature travelers who enjoy scenic road journeys, cultural exploration and moderate walking. However, the itinerary covers mountainous areas and includes trekking and long driving days, so a reasonable level of mobility is recommended.

Northern Vietnam can be visited throughout the year, but each season offers a different experience. Mountain scenery, rice terraces, weather and local agricultural activities change throughout the year. Hanoi Local Tour recommend choosing travel dates based on your preferred climate, scenery and activities.

Yes. Since travel interests, preferred hotel standards, activity levels and travel dates vary, the itinerary can be discussed and adjusted according to your requirements and operational availability.

Yes. Since travel interests, preferred hotel standards, activity levels and travel dates vary, the itinerary can be discussed and adjusted according to your requirements and operational availability.

We recommend bringing:

• Comfortable walking shoes
• Lightweight and breathable clothing
• A warm layer for higher mountain areas
• Rain jacket or compact umbrella
• Sun protection
• Personal medication
• Small daypack
• Reusable water bottle
• Camera or smartphone for photography